Crack cocaine destroys lives – there are no two ways about it. It is one of the most addictive and dangerous illegal drugs in the world. Being addicted to cocaine means suffering severe physical, emotional, and psychological consequences.
The drug has a rapid onset that causes an intense high. Those who have experienced the high keep chasing it, leading to a compulsive use cycle that ends in addiction. A severe addiction can eventually lead to serious long-term health and mental health issues.
In the most devastating cases, it also results in overdose and death.
Cocaine use is unfortunately prevalent among Australia’s business owners and C-suite executives for various reasons. What typically starts as an ‘innocent’ experimentation ends in full-blown addiction. This has terrible ramifications in their personal and professional lives.
If you or a loved one is struggling to rid yourself of a crack cocaine addiction, know that you need professional intervention. Without it, your addiction will only get worse.
Keep reading to discover the phases of cocaine dependence and determine in which phase you are.
Phases of Crack Cocaine Dependence
Crack cocaine addiction grows in distinct stages. Each stage of addiction has warning signs and consequences (body, mind, etc.). You or your loved one must recognize your location within these stages.
Early Use or Experimentation
Executives and business professionals often turn to crack cocaine when they are out with friends or colleagues. They use it as a conversational icebreaker, in other words. Sometimes, they use it for the first time as a way to escape the demands of their career.
When they experience a cocaine high for the first time, they feel energized, euphoric, alert, and confident. These are fleeting sensations, however.
When you use cocaine for the first time, you will be very disappointed when you come down from your high. Your problems will remain, and your newfound confidence will be nowhere to be found. Moreover, you will have set yourself up for increased tolerance of the drug and eventual addiction.
Frequent Use and Increased Tolerance
If you or a loved one ‘tries the drug again,’ you effectively make your brain used to the stimulant effects. If you keep ‘trying it,’ this built-up tolerance will prevent you from experiencing the high you are chasing.
This means you will keep using more cocaine to achieve the same high. You will no longer do it only in front of others but in secret.
You will also start experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you cannot take the drug (due to work or home responsibilities).
Dependence
Should you or your loved one not recognize the signs of withdrawal, you will simply continue using the drug. You will become more dependent on the drug despite increasingly negative consequences.
So, if you want to stop but can’t, you are already fully dependent. The same applies if you prioritize your drug use over all your responsibilities.
Your addiction will result in more severe withdrawal symptoms when you are physically prevented from taking the drug. This includes depression and anxiety.
If you are already lying to friends and family about your drug use or being unethical in your business because of it, you are on your way to full-blow addiction.
Full-Blown Addiction
Crack cocaine addiction is almost sneaky. You feel good and on top of the world until you don’t. And, by that time, your body and mind have already been severely affected.
If you let your cocaine dependency get out of hand, you will lose complete control over your drug use. You will suffer severe physical and psychological deterioration.
You will likely experience broken personal relationships as you isolate yourself from your loved ones. You will most likely suffer financial losses as you keep spending money on buying drugs.
You may get caught for possession or reckless behaviour while under the influence of cocaine.
Not to mention, your health will be seriously compromised, and you may already experience heart problems, brain function impairment, and malnutrition.
As you keep consuming cocaine, your blood pressure will stay elevated, which also increases your risks of stroke or heart attack.
If that wasn’t bad enough, prolonged use of crack cocaine sharply increases your risk of overdose. This can cause seizures and sudden death.
The Worst Symptoms of Crack Cocaine Withdrawal
If you or a loved one has become addicted to crack cocaine and you stop using it abruptly, both your body and your brain go into withdrawal. The intensity of your withdrawal symptoms will depend on how long you used the drug and how much of it you used.
Withdrawal is mainly psychological but can result in severe physical symptoms as well. Symptoms may include:
- Intense cravings. Your cravings may drive you back to the drug, even if you are desperate to quit. It is estimated that up to 80% of cocaine users relapse within six months of quitting if they do not get professional treatment.
It is important to note that your cravings can last for weeks or months, which is why you need the right treatment to overcome them. - Severe depression. If you or a loved one has used crack cocaine for a long time, it means your brain’s dopamine levels are depleted. This may result in persistent depression, emotional numbness, and suicidal thoughts.
A 2019 study found that those withdrawing from crack cocaine are at a significantly higher risk for suicidal thoughts or attempts than those detoxing from other drugs. - Anxiety and paranoia. You may experience extreme anxiety and paranoia as your body detoxes. Along with these symptoms, you may become irritable or suffer panic attacks.
- Sleep disturbances. Crack cocaine artificially stimulates the central nervous system. When you stop using it, you will inevitably become exhausted. This means experiencing chronic fatigue, insomnia, or vivid nightmares.
- Physical withdrawal symptoms. Physical withdrawal symptoms may include intense muscle pain, chills, sweating, heart palpitations, and headaches.
- Hallucinations. You may also experience temporary psychosis marked by hallucinations, violent outbursts, and erratic behaviour.
What to Look for in a Rehab Centre
You cannot recover from addiction on your own. Crack cocaine addiction is a complex disorder that needs professional intervention and treatment. If you are an executive or business owner, choose a rehab centre that provides the right care balanced with the privacy you need.
Why HARP Is the Best Choice
Hills & Ranges Private is a premier rehabilitation facility specializing in discreet addiction treatment for professionals.
Your or your loved one will be assured complete confidentiality and privacy during your stay at a HARP centre. The amenities are luxurious and comfortable for a stress-free recovery.
You will also follow an individualized treatment plan based on your specific needs. If you have a co-occurring mental health disorder, you will receive treatment for this, too.
When you leave after completing your treatment, you will receive a well-rounded after-care plan to help you recover.
If you are ready to get the help you need to reclaim control of your life, download the HARP difference to cocaine rehabilitation today.
Sources:
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/cocaine-ndshs
https://www.addictionhelp.com/addiction/australian-statistics
https://martinfoundation.org.au/blog/cocaine-nation-australias-alarming-drug-crisis
https://www.britannica.com/topic/crack-epidemic
https://www.notodrugs.co.za/drugfacts/crackcocaine/a-short-history.html
https://mydr.com.au/addictions/cocaine-tolerance-and-dependence/
